MX vs. ATV Untamed Hands-on

Share.

We take THQ's pocket motocross for lap two. First ever direct-feed video included.

By Bozon

For the first time MX vs. ATV is heading to Nintendo DS, and for the second time we've gone hands-on with the game to find out exactly what all the hype is about. True MX experiences aren't easy to find on any console, especially the pocket ones, but Rainbow Studios, THQ, and Tantalus have teamed up this year to deliver the "Untamed" experience across all platforms, including for the very first time Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii.

We've had a chance to go hands-on with MX vs. ATV Untamed before, so while we got most of the general info out of the way we figured it'd be a perfect time to update you with our latest impressions on the game, as every other console on IGN is being treated to new assets, more info, and an updated hands-on synopsis. Tonight's update includes not only some more general info about the game, but also first direct-feed video of us hitting up race mode with ATVs, and the trick-based stunt mode in our shiny new motocross bike.

It's bigger.

But is it faster?

While the other versions of Untamed focus on the "go anywhere" feeling of open motocross, teamed with some of the more technical track-based racing and stunting, DS's Untamed skews more towards the latter of the two modes of play, having all racing and stunt competitions reside inside stadiums across the United States. As you compete in X-Cross Championship you'll open new tracks to compete with, including Savannah, Orlando, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Philadelphia, St. Paul, Boulder, Portland, Charleston, and Little Rock. Each track resides inside a stadium, rather than sprawling out across open chunks of land, but each are also focused more on the technical side of MX racing as a result, giving the DS version of MX vs. ATV Untamed a more classically-tuned vibe overall.

As with the other versions, Untamed for DS focuses on quick lines, smart clutch usage for boosting the RPM of your bike or four-wheeler, and the preloading of jumps. While most players will be able to beat the introductory tracks without worrying about the more advanced techniques, the complicated level design of the later tracks will have you either embracing the finer points of MX racing, or leave you left in the dust while your competition rips through the track. Preloading (pulled off by holding down, and then pushing up as you hit the top of a jump) can up your jump height and distance tremendously, which in turn can be the difference between landing on the dropping slope of a hill or topping out at the peak of it, killing your rhythm and speed instantly.

In general the experience is pretty straightforward, as even the X-Cross Championship mode hosts the same four-racer competition as you move from event to event, but it also remains to be pretty competitive as you move from race to race. AI ramps up pretty well, as even the amateur difficulty can become pretty intense as your rivals hit perfect jumps and nail impressive lines every once in a while. Taking a turn too wide or hitting on-track obstacles can instantly mean the end for an inexperienced racer.

As far as performance goes, this version is holding up just as well as the previous build we played, having no framerate drop or serious issues. Visually the game is a bit basic, but houses some decent animation (specifically when pulling off stunts) and stays smooth throughout. It isn't the most technically impressive racer on the system, but the model work and track design won't disappoint either. For a better look at the game in action, be sure to click over to our video gallery below.

We've still got more to experience in MX vs. ATV Untamed for DS, including the game's multiplayer mode, so we'll keep you updated as we near the game's final review mid-December. With a huge focus on stadium tracks MX vs. ATV: Untamed is a return to the basics for the series, but it's also a technically challenging motocross racer, and the true "MX vs. ATV" experience is retained on Nintendo's pocket platform.